Mendocino Coast residents gather to shape shared vision for county’s future

MENDOCINO CO., 1/28/26 — Mendocino County residents came together Sunday at the Caspar Community Center to begin developing a community-driven template, called “Building a Platform for Prosperity in Mendocino County,” aimed at strengthening local resilience and shared priorities.

Participants in breakout groups engaged in lively discussions shaping strategies on social justice, the environment, sustainable economic prosperity, health, housing, impacts of climate change, education, workers’ well-being and food security.

The five-hour volunteer-led event was co-hosted by the Grassroots Institute, Indivisible Mendocino Coast, the League of Women Voters, Victory Gardens for Peace, the Mendocino Vision, the Noyo Headlands Group and the Pro-Democracy Working Group.

The meeting opened with remarks from Donne Brownsey, former chair of the California Coastal Commission, who acknowledged the historic tribal lands where the gathering took place. She stated that restoring tribal lands and sovereignty are central to building stronger communities.

Brownsey asked for a moment of silence in memory of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, recently killed in Minneapolis by ICE agents.

Brownsey said, “Minnesota shows us two things: one, that the use of excessive and unconstitutional force by our government is now a daily reality. The second is that a community united through courage and compassion can respond in ways that strengthen community bonds.”

She added that the goals the group would hammer out in this meeting and beyond are meant to  “educate and elect local, state, and federal officials who support these community priorities.”

Peter McNamee, a volunteer with the Grassroots Institute, told the assembled gathering, “There are other communities around the country — and the world — doing similar work, developing platforms for community change and building. his is about people exercising their power, taking control and shaping the future of their communities. All power comes from the people, but you have to actively use it.”

The gathering formed into four working groups — social justice and civil rights, the environment, sustainable economic prosperity, and health, housing, education, and food security.

Kenny Jowers of Manchester said the gathering reflected shared regional concerns. “There are four of us here from the Mendocino south coast and north Sonoma coast,” he said in an interview. “This event ties us all together, and we are all fighting for the same issues.”

Several common issues emerged from discussions at the four groups, including concerns around the county’s low-paying tourist service jobs, caring for the unsheltered, the growing needs of the aging population, and how affordable housing, local food security and community health outcomes all intersect. The discussions also highlighted the need to connect youth with practical training and local internships in healthcare, trades, and emerging green and tech industries, jobs meant to keep  youth opportunities close to home.

Jess Green, a local teacher who participated, said, “I spend my days teaching 10-year-olds, and I worry that in their future they are not coming into an economy that works for them.”

The health, housing, education, and food security ​group emphasized protecting housing from speculation and supporting small-scale agriculture. Participants also focused on improving access to healthy, local​ly grown food by expanding programs like the state’s Market Match Program, which doubles federal CalFresh benefits at farmers markets. Another plan was to make it easier for residents to grow gardens on rental properties.

Sustainable economic prosperity participants explored transitioning from an extraction-based economy to a restorative one. This includes businesses serving the common good​ and needs ​of the community, workers participating in decision-making, resources being used sustainably, and public subsidies limited to businesses that comply with state and local regulations. The group also considered how tourism could strengthen the community and environment by promoting eco-friendly practices, local supply chains and energy efficiency.

A common theme among the group was advocating for infill development and the reuse of existing buildings to reduce housing costs, avoid sprawl, promote energy independence and efficiency through solar and microgrids, and preserve land for food production. It was also noted that much-needed transient workers, such as CalTrans and medical staff, increasingly occupy rentals — often limiting long-term residents’ housing options.

Environmental concerns focused on ensuring ecosystem sustainability, minimizing environmental destruction and safeguarding clean water, air and land. Participants also emphasized that climate change is an existential threat, with all levels of government responsible for mitigating impacts, remediating disaster damage and supporting efforts at how to adapt.

The social justice and civil rights discussions included how money influences election campaigns and controls the narrative of policy, overshadowing the voices of individuals and communities. Participants also intensely debated the pros and cons of “freedom of language,” highlighting concerns about keeping the U.S. without an official language to protect linguistic diversity, including Native American languages.

The day included a community potluck, giving participants a chance to connect socially while sharing ideas. The meeting wrapped up with group reports, approval of the proposed platform statements and a discussion of next steps for moving the community’s priorities forward as the “2026 Platform for Prosperity.” Grassroots Institute will post the final document after vetting and final agreements by group members and facilitators at grassroots-institute.org.

“This is just the beginning,” McNamee said. “We will revisit this in July to keep it relevant to what is happening in real time.”